Do viewers turn on for Leslie's pout?

Despite all the twists and turns in the BBC's police drama Merseybeat, it seems the viewers are mainly interested in one development.

Namely, Leslie Ash's lips.

The 42-year-old actress had cosmetic surgery last year which left her with a pout like a trout.

And because the scenes were not shot in the order they are shown, her lips alternated between fat and thin, depending on whether filming was before or after the operation.

A marked improvement in viewing figures for the programme might have tempted Merseybeat's producers to leave things as they were.

But they have decided to re-shoot several scenes from different angles to iron out the discrepancies in the features of Leslie's character, Inspector Charlie Eden.

'It was very difficult,' said a BBC insider. 'Nobody wanted to upset Leslie, particularly as she had been so concerned about the result of the operation. However, it was very obvious that there was a real variation.'

The former star of Men Behaving Badly is said to be deeply depressed at the result of her surgery. As well as having collagen implanted into her lips, she had fat inserted into the area between nose and lips to iron out wrinkles caused by smoking.

The problem was too much fat was inserted above her lips and the effects could take two years to disappear.

'She can't stop herself from bursting into tears,' said a friend.

'She feels like she has become a national laughing stock and is very aware that people are staring at her mouth when they are talking to her. It is very sad really and while many people think it is funny it is no laughing matter for her.

'At first she thought about suing the doctor who did it but then she was advised she could not because she had signed a disclaimer.

'Now she is planning to have more surgery to get rid of the fat - she would rather have her wrinkles back.'

The friend added that Leslie's sole consolation has been that the episode has strengthened her often-tempestuous marriage to former footballer Lee Chapman. 'Lee has been a tower of strength for Leslie over this difficult time. He is very protective over her and has been a real shoulder to cry on.

'They are actually closer than they have been for a long time as Leslie is really depending on Lee both to protect her and give her confidence.